The Interdependence of Living Things Biology Diagrams Detritivores, organisms that feed on decaying organic matter, play a critical role in ecosystems. They decompose dead organisms and recycle nutrients, occupying a unique trophic level within the food chain. Detritivores are classified as consumers, but their food source sets them apart from other trophic levels. Unlike herbivores, they do not consume living plants, and unlike carnivores, they
The detritus food chain starts from dead decomposing organic materials. In this article, we will look into the meaning, diagram, implications, and examples of the detritus food chain. We will also discuss the differences between the grazing food chain and the detritus food chain.
Detritus Food Chain: Example, Diagram and Implications Biology Diagrams
The detrital food chain - this is also known as the decomposer food chain Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungus, break down dead organic matter or dead organic compounds from plants and animals in a detrital food chain, which then transfers to detritivores and finally predators.
The water-soluble nutrients produced from this leach into the soil and increase the soil mineral content. At the same time, the detritivores are extracting nutrition for their own life cycles, and in doing so, contribute their biomass to the food chain when they are eaten by consumers.
Food chain Definition and Examples Biology Diagrams
Given that detritivores feed on material from producers and consumers in the food chain, they are present throughout all the trophic levels in a given ecosystem. While they specialize in consuming the dead and decaying matter of other organisms, detritivores are often eaten by secondary consumers.